Middletown Public Schools                                                                                     No. 6172.3

 

HOME SCHOOLING

The State of Rhode Island provides certain requirements for the home schooling of students. The  Middletown School Committee will approve home schooling programs that meet the following  requirements of Rhode Island General Laws 16-19-1, 16-19-2, 16-22-2, 16-22-4 and 16-23-2, 16-2-27

1. The period of attendance at home schooling is substantially equal to that required by law in the public schools.

2. An attendance register must be kept, made available upon request to the Superintendent  of Schools or designee, and returned to the Superintendent of Schools at the end of the  home schooling year.

3. Reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, United States and Rhode Island History, the  Principles of American Government, Civics, health, and physical education, shall  be included in the home schooling program and be taught in the English language  substantially to the same extent as such subjects are required to be taught in the public  schools; and that the teaching of the English language and of other subjects indicated  herein shall be thorough and efficient.

HOME SCHOOLING PROCEDURE

Parent(s)/guardian(s) choosing to educate their child/children at home must request approval  from the Middletown School Committee each year. The following procedure will be followed:

●     Prior to the beginning of the school year, the on-line “Home Schooling Request,  Compliance Agreement & Approval Form” needs to be completed for each child.  (click online link here)   A paper copy of the form is available by contacting the Middletown Schools Registration Office by phone 401-849-2122 or email enrollment@mpsri.net.    

●     The Office of the Superintendent of Schools will offer an invitation for a meeting with the  parent(s)/guardian(s) to review the requirements of home-based schooling and to offer  any assistance in delivering their home schooling program.

●        Upon completion of the review process, the Superintendent of Schools will recommend  approval, approval with modification, or non-approval of the home schooling request to the School  Committee. The Office of the Superintendent of Schools will then notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) in writing of the decision of the School Committee.

●        If the parent(s)/guardian(s) decide to cease home schooling, the Superintendent of  Schools should be notified and the children enrolled in public school or an approved  private school.

 

●        Home schooled students who wish to participate in interscholastic athletics must meet the  requirements set forth by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and the Middletown School  Committee and must make a written request to the Superintendent of Schools. Home schooled  students who wish to participate in extra-curricular activity must meet the requirements set forth  by the Middletown School Committee. Permission will be granted on a space-available basis and  in the absence of any cost to the district. Students shall follow all rules and meet the same  requirements as established for all Middletown Public Schools students. Parent(s)/guardian(s)  will be required to provide transportation to and from the approved activity.

A student who completes an approved program of home schooling is not eligible to receive a  Middletown High School diploma.

HOME SCHOOL PLANS/MONITORING

Home School Plans shall include the following: 

1. The period of attendance at home schooling is substantially equal to that required by law  in the public schools.

2. An attendance register must be kept, made available upon request to the Superintendent  of Schools or designee, and returned to the Superintendent of Schools at the end of the  home schooling year.

3. Reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, United States and Rhode Island History, the  Principles of American Government, Civics, health, and physical education, shall  be included in the home schooling program and be taught in the English language  substantially to the same extent as such subjects are required to be taught in the public  schools; and that the teaching of the English language and of other subjects indicated  herein shall be thorough and efficient.

4. The parent or guardian shall submit reasonable evidence that the instruction will be  thorough and efficient.

5. The parent or guardian shall submit a signed “Compliance Agreement”.

 

 

First  Reading – February 16, 2012

Second Reading and Approval – March 15, 2012

First  Revision – March 17, 2022

Revised and Approved – August 25, 2022

Revised and Approved - June 26, 2025